A locomotive which operated one of BR’s last scheduled steam train services in 1968 – and is now owned by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway – is to be restored.

The LMS Black Five No 45212 will undergo a major overhaul at Bury-based engineering company Riley & Son (E) Ltd. After its restoration – due for completion by next year – the locomotive is expected to work on the West Highland line and other charter services across Great Britain, operated by West Coast Railways.

It will also spend three months a year on the Worth Valley line.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway spokesman Sam MacDougall said: “This locomotive has a remarkable pedigree as it was the very last steam locomotive to operate a scheduled passenger service on the official ‘Last Day Of Steam’ back in 1968. We look forward to it returning to the mainline almost 50 years after its withdrawal.”